Algebralovr

DH and I started cruising in our early 40s, and are currently spending all of our vacation time and budget on getting away from the Midwest winters to the Caribbean via Celebrity. We will finally reach Elite in Feb 2016, on our 10th cruise. It would have been after our 7th cruise on the old system, based on the type of room we have decided we like. In fact, we will have to request a special upgrade in Feb 2016, as we have a B2B booked and will be Elite on the second one but not the first. Unless, that is, I can talk CC into giving me 10 extra points, since that will be what I am short going into the 9th cruise in Feb 2016, or if I find a deal on an upgrade to a suite after final payment for Feb 2015.

Based on current bookings, including bonus point offers to date, we will have 410 points total after our Feb 2016 cruises. That means E+ after our 2021 cruises, assuming current trends. Maybe a little sooner if we can upgrade to a suite, or if they offer bonus points.

Looks like Zenith is going to take a really, really long time. Maybe we'll win the lottery!

We've received hot water in a coffee carafe a couple of times when we ordered from room service. The flavor of coffee was definitely there. It was always when we ordered more than 2 cups of tea at breakfast -I'm guessing to save space on the tray.

On Reflection in 2013, it happened, and we happened to be sitting upstairs outside the art studio on a sea day when the HD (Sue from the UK) walked up and was looking over the railing. She said good morning and asked if we were enjoying the cruise. I replied that we were, that it was a beautiful ship. I somewhat jokingly commented that my biggest complaint was receiving coffee scented water for my tea. That stopped her in her tracks and she asked me to elaborate. I said that we had received water via room service in a coffee carafe rather than a tea pot, and that it had a smell of coffee. Her response was that what we received should never happen. For the rest of the cruise, we always receive water in little tea pots.

We have found that we sometimes have to request fresh water in the MDR as well, if the large urns get mixed up and one that held coffee get hot water put into it. When we have a waiter from a location that drinks a lot of tea, it is never a problem. When we are seated in a station where all the waiters are from areas that drink mostly coffee, it is more likely to be a problem. At that point, I just ask for fresh water to be fetched from the kitchen, and request that they ask a colleague from someplace like India sniff the hot water urn. For the remainder of the cruise, it isn't an issue.

Yes, it is possible to have it locked.

In fact, we've had attendants forget to unlock it! Happened on both of our last two cruises. On the Feb one, the attendant came in on day one to check a few things, saw it was locked, noticed on our cards (sitting on the counter) that we both had the premium package, and asked if we wanted it unlocked since it didn't count on the package. We told her to just leave it locked since we wouldn't be using it..

In June, we had a room attendant that boarded late and just always seemed behind. Our mini-fridge was still locked when we boarded. When we went to use it a couple of days later, planning to grab a bottle of water then replace it later to avoid the charge, we found it was still locked. Oh, well. The Café AL Bacio was only one floor down.

One other reason I always use my passport when traveling: it makes check-in and customs/immigration easier. I've been on trips, including cruises, where I've watched as the person doing check in called over the supervisor to decide if the ID and BC offered was to be accepted. Meanwhile, we got to check in, presented our passports, we're checked in and on our way to our first drink while the person with the DL and BC was still standing there.

Additionally, we've often cruised through re-entry by showing our passport while people around us using DL and BC were definitely taking more time. On our first cruise, out of Mobile, AL, the agents at both ends looked almost relieved to see passports. There was just no question.

On our trip last February, they set up a couple of lines just for US citizens holding passports that moved a little faster than the lines that allowed other ID. Of course, they also had a separate line that was for non-US citizens that moved even slower than the rest.

We are definitely glad we sprung for passports.

Does anyone know if FLL does ?...Seems like this would be quick/easy...is there any situation where you couldn't use this checkin ?

I don't recall seeing it there. Also, they sometimes will not take your bag until 2 hours before your flight. The line at departures tends to move pretty quickly. Sometimes, they set up an additional set of check-in lines downstairs. The biggest hassle at FLL is TSA, particularly if you get stuck behind passengers from Oasis or Allure.

It is Choice Air. We went through that last spring - everyone on the roll call had theirs except us. My TA and I ended up on a conference call with Celebrity. It turned out I was confirmed on my flights, but we were waiting to be ticketed by Choice Air.

They have not had Twinning brand on any cruise I have taken on Celebrity. The brand they had was not memorable. In fact, there have been times we couldn't find either Earl Grey or English Breakfast in the buffet - only some fruit flavors. It was the one thing I really complained about on my February cruise.

They have changed a couple of times in the last year. In the Café AL Bacio, they use Tea Forte in pyramids, which is a more loose tea experience, but there is an additional cost. We purchase a beverage package so it is covered.

In the rest of the ship, we were less impressed with the tea. It all depends on how much of a tea snob you are. Personally, I'm quite a tea snob. If you have a serious preference, take your preferred brand to ensure you have what you want.

For my part' date=' the cruiselines can charter all they want, But BEFORE regular pax booked and prepaid air (usually, non-refundable). I think air can be booked 330 days prior. After that, I don't think it is ethical for a cruiseline to change a cruise to a charter.[/quote']

 

As a passenger, I would agree, but as a shareholder, I disagree. They are a for profit company. They need to do what they can to fill the ship and bring in the maximum income.

We traveled on Celebrity with my DD and her food allergies. They did a great job with meals for her, and in the buffet we just found one of the Asst Matre'Ds who would get some items from the back to eliminate cross-contamination issues.

Just speak up.

Now, that is a little scary. I'm sailing on the Feb 14 and Feb 21 Reflection cruises. There are a couple of rooms full of us on the 21st. I'll be very disappointed if they cancel it out now!

It may be rude to walk away, but if I know what the item is worth and they won't come to a price I will pay, I will walk away. I bought a few things in Turkey. Overpaid for a jacket, but it is very nice. Paid about what I would expect for pair of belts for DH. Vendor wanted more, I took all the cash I had, including all the change, and said this is all I have. It was about 10 TL below what he wanted, so about $5. Seller didn't look happy, but he could see I had no more cash, and I d on t think he wanted to pay the up charge on me using a card.

OTOH, DH and DS got a great price on a t-shirt because all they had was 20 TL!

The $150 per person "Behind the Scenes, See How It's All Done" tour was offered on Equinox in February, but was not offered on the 7 night cruises over the summer. They only offer it when there is at least one sea day near the end. It is up to the Captain whether it goes off.

We had tried to book it in June for our son - an engineering student. Hopefully next December!

No way. Hopefully you can reschedule the flight. If not, arrange ground transportation ahead of time and plan to walk off as early as you can.

What is your back-up plan? Do you have standing on your airline such that when you miss the flight they will put you on the next one without a huge charge?

They will likely have various often used email providers bookmarked on the browser, Equinox did in June. Easy to use, but poor speed, and since it is via satellite, if there is cloud cover or no line of site, you'll have no link.

I would expect there to be few children on board up until December 21, 2014, but I elect the sailings beginning Dec 20 and 21 will be full of them. Most schools are going to end Dec 19 for the winter break, and parents will be unlikely to take the kids out right at the end o like that. Our local schools have final exams the last 3-4 days before break. The year, our university even goes until Dec 19!

I expect most schools are taking two weeks off this year, finishing Dec 19 and returning Jan 5.

Of course, going the weeks between Thanksgiving (November 27, 2014) and Dec 14 will likely be the least expensive and have the fewest kids.

Equinox tends to take longer cruises in the Caribbean, which gives the staff a better chance to get to know the passengers, and really cater to their likes. I think that may be why she gets such top ratings. A lot of the crew return to her again and again. When we were on Equinox in June, we saw quite a few crew we had seen in February.

We have seen things nice enough to wear to formal night on our last couple of cruises. Hopefully your bags show up soon, though!

If you have a couple of days clothes on your carry on, they will likely give you free laundry. If they don't suggest it, ask. They did that for a friend when their bags didn't make it a couple of years ago.

Let us know how it works out!

My understanding is that it can still be done, and sometimes they will even open a specialty restaurant early or do a lunch for a large enough group.

I think I read about someone doing it fairly recently on the weddings board.

Congrats on getting safely home. It is wonderful to hear the airline took care of you as well as they could.

We've been on both, and are going back on Reflection in February.

I would recommend you make your choice based on where they are going and the length you are able to get away. Equinox is in very fine shape. GastroBar has an interesting menu, and we like the Silk Harvest menu. We like the longer sailings in the Caribbean, but we are sailing with friends this February who could only get away for one week.

The Lawn Club Grill is a great place for a steak, but the Hot Glass Show is also interesting.

Enjoy!

I found this: http://www.celebrityonboardcruisesales.com/ which suggests that the flyer may still be good.

No telling exactly, since the OP will be sailing on RCCL ship, rather than a X ship. OP, we have provided what info we can. Please come back in a couple weeks and let us know how it went!

When did they decide not to continue it? Are you sure about that?

 

On July 14th, Celebrity Cruises responded on another thread:

 

"Special Update: Onboard Solstice, Eclipse, Constellation, Silhouette, Equinox, and Summit, the benefit of up to $500 with a Cruise Now booking is being given to you during your current cruise. Guests are enjoying instant Onboard Credits during this voyage and 123Go for their next voyage. Just something new we've begun to roll out on the fleet. It's going very well and guests are very excited to not only book their next reservation, but to get the instant OBC to spend on Tours, Gift Shops, Spa, Specialty Restaurants and more."

 

Indeed it was started as an idea on just the Silhouette and Constellation originally, but it has since spread to the other ships listed above.

Interesting news. I missed that one, plus I cannot find the flyer for it. I like the earlier version better, particularly when I'm booking for the entire family and want the OBC for the future cruise. On the other hand, the newer version with the instant OBC does not allow you to cancel and get your deposit back. Better for the Celebrity bottom line that way.

Can't spend all my time on these boards, I have a job to pay for my cruises!

One thing to be aware of, while you can book on board for any of the sister lines, not all the agents have experience with booking on the sister lines. We saw someone go through that on Equinox. The woman in front of us wanted to book on RCCL and the FC guy was clueless. She walked away annoyed looking.

Best bet is to go in knowing what you want to book, and if possible with the flyer that shows the perks, to make things smooth.

The online version of the flyer is still live: http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/Flyers/13033187_CEL_Onboard_Passages_Form.pdf

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cruisecle - Yes, I am on that cruise with you. ;) You probably booked it before the new Celebrity OBC change took effect. Change was at the end of May 2014.

 

I thought that was an experiment on just one or two ships? I booked 3 future cruises on Equinox in June and only put down $100 per person per cruise. The OBC we received was dependent on the class of room and the length of the cruise we were booking.

Has this now spread to all the ships?